D.B.
You have to get this info from 2 places: the pediatrician, and the policy of the school/health department.
When is a child that has come down with hfmd no longer contagious? When is it OK to go back to school?
Thanks in advance ;)
Thanks to all who actually tried to answer my question ;)
I asked on here because it was sunday (peds office was closed and he didn't break out with blisters til sat after peds office was closed)....and I kept him home today...still waiting for the doctor to return my call to answer a few questions... (they close at 7 ..so there's still time)
You have to get this info from 2 places: the pediatrician, and the policy of the school/health department.
Call the pediatrician's 24/7 hour nurse line for this information. You can also google it, though I find webmd.com and mayoclinic.com to be the best general medical info sites. Really though your child's doctor is the one with all your child's history and info so you should start there.
I typically get the ok from our doctor when it's something contagious before returning to school. I'd check with them.
You would need to check with the school about their policy. When my kids had it our day care only required that they be fever free (without having taken fever reducing meds) for 24 hours. I kept my daughter home a few extra days because she was feeling miserable even without the fever.
We are not medical professionals. Ask the doctor this question. Ask the school what they require before your child can return to school.
Did you ask your ped? B mentions after the fever is gone, but specifically 24 hours after the fever is gone. But please check with your ped.
You need to contact your pediatrician and have him/her give you the all clear.
It can take WEEKS for the disease to NOT be contagious.
http://www.cdc.gov/features/handfootmouthdisease/
I don't know how long your child has had HFM nor what he/she is still showing.
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The kids can go back to school when the fever is gone.
I googled it. They say it can still be contagious weeks later if a person comes in contact with their poop. Like at child care, if he wears a diaper.
It's a virus so medications don't do anything for it. It usually runs it's course in a couple of weeks and all through that time they're contagious.
I think you need to see what the school says. If it's child care they're probably going to say he can't come back for a week or two.